The English Premier League likes to think it is the best league in the world.

Exactly what that means is open to interpretation. Best players? None of Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar – currently considered, by most estimates, the best three in the world – play in England.

Most exciting? One of four teams have won the title in each of the past 15 years. Since the competition began in 1992/93, there have been six different winners but two of those, Blackburn Rovers (1994/95) and Leicester City (2015/16), are unlikely to win again in the near future.

Best teams, then? This is where the debate gets interesting.

Determining which league’s teams are best relies on their results against teams from other leagues. The Champions League, Europe’s top club competition, is perhaps the best (if still imperfect) way to judge which league can claim superiority.

Based on recent history, Spain’s La Liga is king. Spanish clubs have won the past five Champions League titles – Real Madrid four times and Barcelona once. There have also been two all-Spanish finals, where a third Spanish club, Atletico Madrid, were defeated.

In the past 20 years, since and including Manchester United’s dramatic 2009 win against Bayern Munich, English clubs have triumphed four times. This is more than Italian clubs (three champions) German clubs (two) and Portuguese (one), but pales in comparison to the 10 wins by Spanish clubs.

This season, the early domestic performances of some of the Champions League favorites should have given a boost to the four English clubs in the competition. Real Madrid, who have won the Champions League three years in a row, are sixth in La Liga. Barcelona are second but have had a few of their own unconvincing moments. German giants Bayern Munich – never an easy draw in the tournament knock out stages – are fifth in the Bundesliga.

With one round of fixtures to go before the knockout stage, most of the usual suspects have made it through. Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich have all, as they often do, comfortably qualified.

The two Manchester clubs, City and United, have also secured their spots. United have had some wobbles but will advance with Juventus in Group H. City will almost certainly win Group F, ahead of Lyon or Shakhtar Donetsk.

The other half of England’s representatives face a thrilling fight to qualify in the final round of fixtures on December 11 and 12.

Liverpool are second in the Premier League and look the only team likely to mount a sustained title challenge to Manchester City. But in Group C of the Champions League they are third, three points behind Napoli and two behind PSG. A 2-1 defeat in Paris means Liverpool must beat Napoli at Anfield. If PSG beat Red Star Belgrade in their final match, which seems likely, then Liverpool must beat Napoli 1-0 or by at least two goals.

Liverpool were unlucky to be drawn in Group C, probably the hardest of the eight groups. Napoli are a very good side but Jurgen Klopp lives for nights like this. On their thrilling run to the final last season, Liverpool were almost unplayable at Anfield, and Klopp will hope to tease another top-drawer performance in two weeks.

Spurs also face a daunting task to reach the second round. They had a nightmare start to Group B back in September, when they lost 2-1 away at Inter Milan despite leading 1-0 with five minutes to go. A humbling at home by a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona followed before a disappointing draw at PSV. But against the odds, Spurs have given themselves a chance.

Knowing they would probably need three wins from their final three group matches, Spurs have won two from two. They beat PSV at home then, yesterday, secured a tense but deserved 1-0 win over Inter. Now all Spurs need to qualify is travel to Barcelona, one of Europe’s best sides, and beat them in their own backyard. Barca have already won the group so will surely be tempted to rest Messi and some of their other most potent weapons. Even if that is the case though, Barcelona have not lost a home Champions League match since May 2013. Of those 26 matches, they have drawn two and won 24.

Currently second and third in the Premier League, Liverpool and Spurs are two of England’s best clubs. Those who market the Premier League to the world will be desperate for them to succeed against two teams who also claim a seat at European soccer’s top table. To be the best you have to beat the best, and the Premier League wants to be the best.

I am a freelance journalist based in Valencia, Spain. My sports reporting has covered everything from interviewing globetrotting coaches and top executives, to witnessing the craziest bike race in the world. I’ve written for publications including BBC Sport, The Independent...